Rytas Jurgelis, a prominent Lithuanian artist, has been a member of the Union of Lithuanian Artists since 1995. Over the course of his career, he has held almost thirty solo exhibitions, presenting his work throughout Lithuania and abroad. His ongoing engagement with the arts scene underscores both his substantial contribution and the recognition he has earned within the artistic community.
Jurgelis’s paintings stand out for their distinct treatment of color and texture and for his steadfast admiration of geometric shapes, particularly the square. This combination produces an impressive range of artwork, yet there remains a gentle lyricism unmistakable in his style. By repeatedly incorporating squares, he brings both structure and formal clarity to his compositions.
Instead of emphasizing color contrasts, Jurgelis seeks harmony and the combined effect of hues. In his art, color becomes a vehicle for conveying emotional states, enriched by the tangible specifics of oil paint. He highlights the material nature of his medium through various finishes—matte or glossy—as well as through texture, sgraffito, and pronounced relief. Through a careful process of adding layer upon layer, he achieves surfaces that distinctly display their method of creation, appealing to both the eye and the touch.
These densely layered, textured surfaces do more than create unique visual and emotional environments—they also suggest connections to other senses, like taste or scent. Each square field in his paintings serves as a platform for emotional interplay or unspoken stories, encouraging viewers to interpret them through the lens of their own experience. Jurgelis subtly directs the viewer’s response with gentle hints, while deliberately maintaining ample room for personal interpretation and emotional engagement.
About this artwork+
The painting presents a vivid landscape of textured layers with a dominant upper half soaked in shades of red and orange, possibly capturing the essence of a fiery skyline at dawn. The lower half contrasts this with cooler tones of blue, and cream, interspersed with spots of red and orange. The central section features a chaotic and vibrant clash of colors including teal, burgundy, and mustard atop deeper blues, suggesting a tumultuous blend of natural elements or the busy activities of a waking city. The paint is thickly applied, giving the piece an intensely tactile feel. The rugged surface is punctuated by peaks of paint and occasional drips, enhancing its dynamic and unstructured character. This is enclosed in a dark, textured frame that adds a traditional touch to the otherwise modernist expression.
